The Ministry of India’s push toward complete mineral self-reliance has taken a monumental leap forward.
On November 5, 2026, the Ministry of Mines officially launched the Ninth Tranche of e-auction for Critical and Strategic Mineral Blocks alongside the Third Tranche of Exploration Licence (EL) Blocks.
Officiated by Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Coal and Mines, and joined by Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant and Minister of State Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, the high-profile launch marks a decisive step in fortifying India’s industrial backbone against global supply chain vulnerabilities.
Powering Clean Energy and High-Tech Industries
The newly launched Ninth Tranche puts 20 critical and strategic mineral blocks up for auction across multiple states. These blocks encompass a rich assortment of essential elements—including Graphite, Glauconite, Vanadium, Gallium, Titanium, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Bauxite, and Potash—which are indispensable for next-generation sectors like electric mobility, clean energy technology, defence, aerospace, and advanced electronics.
Building on the success of previous rounds—where 64 out of 100 offered blocks were successfully auctioned—this latest tranche expands the geographical and mineral footprint:
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Chhattisgarh & Telangana: Rich in Vanadium, Titanium, REEs, and Aluminous Laterite.
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Rajasthan & Bihar: Targeting vital agricultural and industrial inputs like Potash, Halite, and Glauconite.
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West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, & Madhya Pradesh: Featuring strategic deposits of Graphite, REEs, and Copper.
Unlocking Deep-Seated Exploration with Private Participation
In tandem with the mining blocks, the Ministry has rolled out the Third Tranche of Exploration Licence (EL) blocks, covering 10 additional blocks across Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
Enabled by Section 10BA of the MMDR Act, Exploration Licences are designed to bring private industry expertise into the initial exploration phase of 29 critical and deep-seated minerals even before mining leases are granted. This private-public synergy is vital for uncovering deep-seated mineral reserves that remain largely untapped.
Landmark Reforms for Seamless Bidding
To ensure higher participation and eliminate past bottlenecks, the government has notified the Mineral (Auction) Third Amendment Rules, 2026. Notably, the minimum number of Technically Qualified Bidders required for the second round of Part D minerals has been reduced from three to two. Furthermore, Letters of Intent will now be issued automatically through the Unified Mining Portal, dramatically enhancing the ease of doing business.
Key Timelines and Access
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Sale of Tender Documents: Commenced on November 5, 2026.
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Last Date to Purchase Documents: January 1, 2027 (by 17:00 hrs IST).
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Bid Submission Deadline: January 7, 2027 (by 17:00 hrs IST).
Composite Licences and Mining Leases will be awarded via an online two-stage ascending forward auction based on the highest revenue share, while Exploration Licences will utilize a transparent descending reverse auction model. Interested bidders can access the tender details and participate via the MSTC e-auction platform.
